Graphite Film Thermal Interface Material With Low Pressure Dependency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal interface materials (TIMs) face challenges in achieving low thermal resistance and reduced pressure dependency, while also maintaining excellent heat resistance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A TIM made of a graphite film with a thickness of 200 nm to 3 µm, optimized wrinkle patterns, and high thermal conductivity, which reduces thermal resistance and pressure dependency, and enhances durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mixture of polymer material and inorganic filler is used to create TIM, then the TIM achieves flexibility for surface contact, but the thermal conductivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental material parameter from polymer-inorganic composite to pure graphite material. This parameter change enables the TIM to achieve both high thermal conductivity (500 W/mK or more) and surface conformability through the inherent properties of graphite, eliminating the need for polymer binders that limit thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses graphite as a composite material that inherently combines high thermal conductivity with flexibility. The graphite film structure allows it to conform to uneven surfaces while maintaining excellent thermal transport properties, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and thermal conductivity found in polymer-inorganic composites.
2Device complexity
If hard materials are simply coupled with each other, then the structure is simple, but thermal resistance becomes large due to air layers
Solution Approach 1:
The graphite film acts as an intermediary material between hard materials. It fills the gaps and air layers that form when hard materials are simply coupled, providing a continuous thermal conduction path. The graphite's flexibility allows it to conform to surface irregularities, eliminating air pockets while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If graphite film thickness is reduced to decrease thermal resistance, then thermal performance improves, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the flexible film nature of graphite to achieve optimal thickness for thermal performance. The graphite film maintains sufficient mechanical strength through its inherent material properties and surface adhesion, allowing thin film construction that minimizes thermal resistance while retaining durability and handling capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The TIM achieves a thermal resistance of 0.3 °C·cm²/W or less under 0.1 MPa pressure and exhibits minimal pressure dependency, demonstrating excellent thermal coupling and environmental stability.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal interface material for rapidly transferring heat from a heat generation source to a cooling material or a heat radiating material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4(d)
AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for thermally coupling materials with a thermal interface material made of the graphite film having a decreased thermal resistance and a high heat resistance, and the thermal interface material, in which the problems of the thermal interface material made of the conventional polymer/inorganic composite have been solved. The object is solved by using the thermal interface material for transferring heat by interposing between two materials, wherein the thermal interface material contains a graphite film, the graphite film has a thickness T of 200 nm to 3 µm, and a ratio of (Ra/T) of an arithmetic average roughness Ra to thickness T of the surface of the graphite film is 0.1 to 30.